Iโll happily drive you and your car from Connecticut to the Amtrak Auto Train in Lorton, VA
โฆor bring you and your car home from Lorton back to Connecticut
Hi, Iโm Jim Fuhrmann from West Hartford, Connecticut. Iโm happy to help anyone who canโt โ or would rather not โ make the drive to or from the Amtrak Auto Train in Lorton, VA by themselves.
I completed the exact trip (November 20โ22, 2025) while helping a family friend move to Florida. I stayed in Grantville, PA the first night and Woodbridge, VA the second night, after seeing our friend off at the Amtrak Auto Train station in Lorton. My expenses โ including lodging, an Amtrak return ticket from Woodbridge, VA to Hartford, CT, meals, and Ubers in Lorton, Woodbridge, and Hartford โ came to $770.22.
One moment from that drive still sticks with me.
As we passed the beautiful โBlessed Motherโ statue on US-15 near Emmitsburg, my passenger, who is deeply religious, got emotional and told me how much it meant to see her from the road. Little shared moments like that are why I enjoy doing this.
Honestly, I just love being behind the wheel, discovering little moments on the road, meeting new friends, and making new memories. If I can turn that into making someoneโs move or snowbird season easier and less stressful, itโs a perfect day for me.
I take the comfortable, scenic route I now know well โ I-84 to I-81 to US-15 through Gettysburg to I-270/I-495 to I-95, with an overnight around Harrisburg โ so we always arrive at Lorton rested and on schedule.
Here's all I ask
- You cover my round-trip expenses โ $700 โ $800 depending on the week, hotel fees, meals, Ubers (taxis), and train fares. I give you every receipt.
- Anything you choose to add on top as a thank-you for my time (2โ3 full days away from home) is completely optional and deeply appreciated.
Just to be perfectly clear โ you take care of your own Auto Train tickets, your hotel room(s), and your meals. I only ask to be reimbursed for whatever I actually spend out of my own pocket on the trip (my hotel night(s), my meals, train ticket home, Ubers, etc.).
This is not a business โ just one neighbor helping another neighbor. I can only take 4โ6 trips a year so I can keep it personal and enjoyable.
This is perfect for...
- Snowbirds who dread the drive
- Anyone with night-driving, back, or anxiety issues
- Folks moving to Florida who want their own car waiting in Sanford
If this would be a big help to you or someone you know, call or text me at span-p. If the dates work, Iโm happy to help.
A Few Quick Auto Train Tips
- Book your Auto Train tickets and vehicle spot early โ especially NovemberโApril. Prices jump and it sells out. More info ➔
- Plan to arrive in Lorton the day before your train if possible. Traffic around D.C. can add a few hours.
- Amtrak requires you at the station no later than 2 hours before departure (sometimes 2ยฝโ3 hours for SUVs/vans). Donโt cut it close!
- Bring a small overnight bag โ once your car is loaded you wonโt see it again until Sanford.
- Turn off your car alarm and leave only about ยผ tank of gas (saves weight and Amtrak prefers it).
- Priority Vehicle Offloading ($60 extra) is worth it if you want to be on the road fast when you reach Florida.
- The Lorton station address for GPS:
8006 Lorton Road, Lorton, VA 22079
- The Lorton station website address:
https://www.amtrak.com/stations/lor
- Amtrak's main phone number:
span-p
A Few More Quick Tips From the Road
- Get your car serviced before you leave โ fresh oil, good tires, and a quick brake check save a lot of worry.
- A current AAA (or AAA-Plus) membership is worth its weight in gold on a long trip โ free towing, lock-out help, and peace of mind.
- Pack a small โcar bagโ you can keep up front: phone charger, water bottle, snacks, sunglasses, and any meds you might need.
- Download offline Google Maps for the route โ cell service gets spotty on parts of I-81 and US-15.
- Keep a printed copy of your Auto Train confirmation and vehicle tag number handy โ sometimes the barcode on your phone wonโt scan quickly at check-in.
- Leave only about ยผ tank of gas when you arrive in Lorton (Amtrak prefers it and youโll save a few bucks).
- Bring comfortable slip-on shoes for the train โ youโll be walking through several cars to the diner or lounge.
- If youโre returning north in the spring, book early โ the northbound Auto Train sells out faster than southbound.
๐ Direct to ANY Florida Destination?
I Can Do That Too โ Tampa, Sarasota, Naples, The Villages, Jacksonville, Miami... anywhere!
Jim vs. Car Transport Companies
| YOU + ME |
Car Transport Co. |
| You ride + enjoy |
Stranger drives, impersonal |
| 3-4 days relaxed |
7-14 days wait (at least) |
| Pet rides with you |
Pet kennel OR $200+ fees |
| Door-to-door |
Pickup/dropoff hassle |
| $2,000-2,400 (est) |
$1,800 (est) + delays |
*Plus: Pets welcome! No loading/unloading stress
- You + car + pet: Door-to-door from your home to your Florida destination
- Same scenic route (avoids NYC/Philly/Baltimore)
- 3-4 overnights, arrive relaxed
- Pet-friendly (crate, walks, love included!)
- Limited: 2-3 trips/year
"I just love the road" โ discovering moments, meeting friends, making memories.
This isn't about profit. It's about helping neighbors.
Call, text, or email me your destination โ I'll check my availability and let you know the estimated expenses!
โ๏ธ Flying to Florida (or Anywhere South)?
I can meet you there with your car + pet!
Fly & Meet Jim Anywhere
| YOU FLY | JIM DRIVES |
| โ๏ธ Fly direct | ๐ Door-to-door |
| โฑ๏ธ 2-3 hours | ๐ฃ๏ธ 3-4 days relaxed |
| ๐ถ Pet in cabin | ๐ Pet rides happy |
| $300-600 RT | $1,800-2,200 est |
| ๐ฌ Land โ car waiting | โ
No airport hassle |
*Popular: Tampa, Sarasota, Naples, The Villages, Orlando, Miami
- You fly direct with pet in cabin (if small)
- I drive your car + pet (or solo) to your destination
- Meet at airport/hotel โ car keys + happy pet waiting!
- Pet care included โ walks, feeding, crate time
- Destinations: Tampa, Sarasota, Naples, The Villages, Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami... anywhere!
Ready to Travel? Let's Check Your Dates
Call, text, or email me your travel dates โ I'll check my availability and let you know right away!
Safe travels ๐๐
Jim Fuhrmann
West Hartford, Connecticut
๐ฑ Call/Text: span-p
โ๏ธ Email: span-e
๐ VMIPub: @JimFuhrmann
References happily provided!